What is success?
It seems to me like the answer to that question is hugely important, but most people never take the time to even ask it. We don't define success. So by default, we let our culture define success for us. And in too many instances it boils down to this: whoever has the most toys at the end of the game wins.
I've shared this before, but here is my generic definition of success: do the best you can with what you have where you are. In other words, success is stewardship and stewardship is success. But let me drill down a little bit.
I have a list of 100+ life goals. And some of them are church-related or book-related. I dream of the day NCC isn't just reaching thousands and giving hundreds of thousands to missions. I dream of the day NCC is reaching tens of thousands and givings millions of dollars to missions. And I believe we'll get there. One of my life goals is to write twenty-five books, including a New York Times best-seller. And that's the tip of the iceberg. I have lots of goals and big dreams. But none of that means anything if I lose my family.
At the end of his illustrious ministry, the prophet Samuel was emotionally "crushed." He was the most powerful and most revered person in all of Israel. But it's a sad ending. Why? Because his sons "didn't follow in his footsteps." I'm guessing Samuel would have traded all of his accomplishments for the faith of his sons. And he would have done it in a heartbeat.
I know my kids have free-will. And it's dangerous to define success in a way you cannot control. But success for me is simple: my kids growing up to love God with all of their heart, soul, mind, and strength. It's that simple. I also pray that my kids will want to hang out with us when they have the option of not hanging out with us. At the end of the day, true success is not occupational. It's relational. It's not about how big your church is. It's not about how many books you sell. Success is succession. It's about your kids following in your spiritual footsteps. It's about your kids internalizing and personalizing the faith. It's about your kids owning the faith and the faith owning your kids.
One last word.
I know some of you feel like you messed up as parents. Here's a word of encouragement: God gives us a second chance and it's called being a grandparent. Don't get down on yourself. Confess it and move forward. I also know some very godly people who were far better parents than me that have watched their kids walk away from the faith and they are heart-broken. Keep praying. Keep believing. There are seasons in life where you need to drop back and punt to God on 4th and long. All you can do is continue to put them in God's hands and trust.
It seems to me like the answer to that question is hugely important, but most people never take the time to even ask it. We don't define success. So by default, we let our culture define success for us. And in too many instances it boils down to this: whoever has the most toys at the end of the game wins.
I've shared this before, but here is my generic definition of success: do the best you can with what you have where you are. In other words, success is stewardship and stewardship is success. But let me drill down a little bit.
I have a list of 100+ life goals. And some of them are church-related or book-related. I dream of the day NCC isn't just reaching thousands and giving hundreds of thousands to missions. I dream of the day NCC is reaching tens of thousands and givings millions of dollars to missions. And I believe we'll get there. One of my life goals is to write twenty-five books, including a New York Times best-seller. And that's the tip of the iceberg. I have lots of goals and big dreams. But none of that means anything if I lose my family.
At the end of his illustrious ministry, the prophet Samuel was emotionally "crushed." He was the most powerful and most revered person in all of Israel. But it's a sad ending. Why? Because his sons "didn't follow in his footsteps." I'm guessing Samuel would have traded all of his accomplishments for the faith of his sons. And he would have done it in a heartbeat.
I know my kids have free-will. And it's dangerous to define success in a way you cannot control. But success for me is simple: my kids growing up to love God with all of their heart, soul, mind, and strength. It's that simple. I also pray that my kids will want to hang out with us when they have the option of not hanging out with us. At the end of the day, true success is not occupational. It's relational. It's not about how big your church is. It's not about how many books you sell. Success is succession. It's about your kids following in your spiritual footsteps. It's about your kids internalizing and personalizing the faith. It's about your kids owning the faith and the faith owning your kids.
One last word.
I know some of you feel like you messed up as parents. Here's a word of encouragement: God gives us a second chance and it's called being a grandparent. Don't get down on yourself. Confess it and move forward. I also know some very godly people who were far better parents than me that have watched their kids walk away from the faith and they are heart-broken. Keep praying. Keep believing. There are seasons in life where you need to drop back and punt to God on 4th and long. All you can do is continue to put them in God's hands and trust.
3 Comments:
WOW! My new bathroom mirror posting "Success is succession!"
John Maxwell says it this way, "Success without successors is failure."
Good stuff Pastor Mark!
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